Important figures in Willie Nelson's career

By by Andrew Dansby

on April 23, 2013 12:07 PM

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Willie Nelson has recorded and performed hundreds of songs with dozens of players in more than 50 years of making music. Inevitably some of the people involved in the creation of this body of work have passed on. The following are some of the influential and important figures in Nelson’s creative life. less

Willie Nelson has recorded and performed hundreds of songs with dozens of players in more than 50 years of making music. Inevitably some of the people involved in the creation of this body of work have passed ... more

Photo: Ray Tamarra, Getty Images

Willie Nelson has recorded and performed hundreds of songs with... Photo-4429555.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Beer Spears

When Nelson’s bassist was drafted into the Army in 1968 teenager Dan “Bee” Spears stepped in and became an integral part of the Family’s sound for the next 43 years, a tricky job considering Nelson’s peculiar relationship with tempo. Spears, who grew up outside San Antonio, slipped and fell outside his Nashville home in December 2011, and died of accidental exposure. less

When Nelson’s bassist was drafted into the Army in 1968 teenager Dan “Bee” Spears stepped in and became an integral part of the Family’s sound for the next 43 years, a tricky job considering Nelson’s ... more

Photo: Shock Ink

When Nelson’s bassist was drafted into the Army in 1968 teenager... Photo-4491672.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Waylon Jennings

The Littlefield native played bass with childhood friend Buddy Holly until Holly’s death. Like Nelson, he struggled in Nashville and found success back in Texas as a bearded insurgent country artist. His collaborations with Nelson peaked in the ‘70s with the big selling collection “Wanted! The Outlaws."” Jennings died of complications of diabetes in 2002. less

The Littlefield native played bass with childhood friend Buddy Holly until Holly’s death. Like Nelson, he struggled in Nashville and found success back in Texas as a bearded insurgent country artist. His ... more

Big voiced crossover country star scored her first hit with “Walkin’ After Midnight” in 1957 but Nelson wrote her most enduring hit. Cline’s version of Nelson’s “Crazy” was released in late 1961 and reached past country listeners to hit No. 9 on the pop charts and resided in the Top 40 for two months. She died in a plane crash a little more than a year later at age 30. less

Big voiced crossover country star scored her first hit with “Walkin’ After Midnight” in 1957 but Nelson wrote her most enduring hit. Cline’s version of Nelson’s “Crazy” was released in late 1961 ... more

Nelson has long stated that Sinatra was a primary influence on the way he sang. Theirs was a mutual admiration, to the point where Sinatra even opened for Nelson once in Las Vegas of all places.

Nelson has long stated that Sinatra was a primary influence on the way he sang. Theirs was a mutual admiration, to the point where Sinatra even opened for Nelson once in Las Vegas of all places.

Photo: AP

Nelson has long stated that Sinatra was a primary influence on... Photo-1250076.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Paul Buskirk

West Virginia native Buskirk was a guitar and mandolin wizard who played with country luminaries including Lefty Frizzell, the Louvin Brothers, Roy Acuff and Chet Atkins. He also ran a guitar school in Houston, where he hired a young Nelson to teach. During off hours, Buskirk would teach licks to his employee, who was eager to learn. Buskirk was one of the first people to take serious notice of Nelson and bought “Family Bible” and “Night Life” — for $200 total — from Nelson, who needed the cash at the time more than he did the possibility of publishing royalties. “Night Life” may be the first time Nelson’s name appeared on a 45, with the song attributed to “Paul Buskirk and His Little Men, featuring Hugh Nelson.” Nelson covered several of Buskirk’s songs over the years, and Buskirk produced Nelson’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” album, and Nelson recorded Buskirk’s 1993 album “Nacogdoches Waltz.” He retired to East Texas where he died at age 78. less

West Virginia native Buskirk was a guitar and mandolin wizard who played with country luminaries including Lefty Frizzell, the Louvin Brothers, Roy Acuff and Chet Atkins. He also ran a guitar school in Houston, ... more

Photo: AP

West Virginia native Buskirk was a guitar and mandolin wizard who... Photo-4347482.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Roger Miller

The iconoclastic singer, songwriter and entertainer wasn’t often covered by Nelson, but they were tight drinking buddies early in their careers. Nelson joined him in 1982 for their “Old Friends” album. The title track was Miller’s last charting hit. Miller died of cancer at age 56 less

The iconoclastic singer, songwriter and entertainer wasn’t often covered by Nelson, but they were tight drinking buddies early in their careers. Nelson joined him in 1982 for their “Old Friends” album. ... more

The Shreveport native was a successful country singer (and not a bad songwriter) in the 1950s who also crossed over into acting. Young’s biggest hit was Nelson’s first wildly successful song. In 1961 he released Nelson’s “Hello Walls,” which topped the country charts and reached as high as No. 12 in the pop Top 40 where it remained for three months. Suffering from cancer and emphysema, Young took his own life at age 64. less

The Shreveport native was a successful country singer (and not a bad songwriter) in the 1950s who also crossed over into acting. Young’s biggest hit was Nelson’s first wildly successful song. In 1961 he ... more

Photo: AP

The Shreveport native was a successful country singer (and not a... Photo-4347494.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Johnny Cash

While not linked as closely as Waylon and Willie, Nelson and Cash nevertheless crossed paths frequently including two Highwaymen recordings with Jennings and Kris Kristofferson before they made a record together, a 1998 live recording for “VH1 Storytellers.” less

While not linked as closely as Waylon and Willie, Nelson and Cash nevertheless crossed paths frequently including two Highwaymen recordings with Jennings and Kris Kristofferson before they made a record ... more

Photo: Anonymous, HO

While not linked as closely as Waylon and Willie, Nelson and Cash... Photo-4502779.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Townes Van Zandt

Given Van Zandt’s standing as a top shelf songwriter from Texas it would seem like Nelson would’ve covered several of his songs, but such isn’t the case. He offered a wrenching and expressive reading of Van Zandt’s “Marie” on a 2001 tribute album. And Nelson helped stuff Van Zandt’s bank account in 1983 when he and Merle Haggard did the song as a duet, resulting in a No. 1 country single. They also included Van Zandt in the video for the song. Van Zandt died of a heart attack on New Year’s day, aged 52. less

Given Van Zandt’s standing as a top shelf songwriter from Texas it would seem like Nelson would’ve covered several of his songs, but such isn’t the case. He offered a wrenching and expressive reading of ... more

Photo: Omnivore Recordings

Given Van Zandt’s standing as a top shelf songwriter from Texas... Photo-4138317.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Django Reinhardt

Fiddler Johnny Gimble passed Nelson a cassette of music by the storied gypsy guitarist, and Nelson was instantly enamored with Reinhardt’s playing, which would greatly influence his own. After making its way into Nelson’s concerts for a few years, Reinhardt’s “Nuages” was included on Nelson’s latest album, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.” Nelson also covered the Reinhardt staple “Ou Es-Tu, Mon Amour” on his “Teatro” album. Reinhardt died of a brain hemorrhage after a gig in Paris in 1953; he was 43 years old. less

Fiddler Johnny Gimble passed Nelson a cassette of music by the storied gypsy guitarist, and Nelson was instantly enamored with Reinhardt’s playing, which would greatly influence his own. After making its way ... more

Photo: DAN GROSSI, AP

Fiddler Johnny Gimble passed Nelson a cassette of music by the... Photo-4347491.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Chet Atkins

One of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century, the country legend was also a wildly successful producer in Nashville when he signed Nelson to RCA records. Atkins was successful at creating string-laden hits for other artists but the format just didn’t work for Nelson, who eventually parted ways with RCA. Who knows, had Atkins proved successful retrofitting Nelson’s strange songs to his boilerplate productions Nelson may have stayed in Tennessee. He died of cancer in 2001. less

One of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century, the country legend was also a wildly successful producer in Nashville when he signed Nelson to RCA records. Atkins was successful at creating string-laden ... more

Photo: AP

One of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century, the country... Photo-4384909.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Blaze Foley

A genuinely eccentric singer-songwriter from Arkansas, Foley found his home in Texas in the ‘70s, though his reputation grew far greater after he died. Foley’s biggest break during his lifetime was when Nelson brought Foley’s “If I Could Only Fly” to Merle Haggard and they recorded it for their “Seashores of Old Mexico” album in 1987. Two years later Foley was shot and killed during a dispute in Austin. The song stuck with Haggard, who sang it for Tammy Wynette’s memorial service, and also made it the title track of his exquisite 2000 album. less

A genuinely eccentric singer-songwriter from Arkansas, Foley found his home in Texas in the ‘70s, though his reputation grew far greater after he died. Foley’s biggest break during his lifetime was when ... more

Charles’ career started several years before Nelson’s and provided Nelson a primer for artists seeking creative control. Charles used his freedom to indulge his affinity for country music often. He and Nelson recorded Troy Seals’ song “Seven Spanish Angels,” which was a No. 1 country single in 1984. In 2004 Charles died of liver failure at age 73. Seven years later Nelson, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and pianist less

Charles’ career started several years before Nelson’s and provided Nelson a primer for artists seeking creative control. Charles used his freedom to indulge his affinity for country music often. He and ... more

Photo: SCOTT HECKEL, AP

Charles’ career started several years before Nelson’s and... Photo-1231966.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Left Frizzell

Among the most influential singers in the history of country music, Frizzell’s melisma-heavy phrasing defined honky tonk singing for multiple generations. The audible evidence can be heard in the music of Nelson, George Jones, Randy Travis and many others, but Nelson paid the creative debt forward with “To Lefty From Willie” in 1977. Nelson lovingly sang some Frizzell hits as well as a few deeper tracks. Frizzell never got to hear the record; he died two years earlier following a stroke at age 47. less

Among the most influential singers in the history of country music, Frizzell’s melisma-heavy phrasing defined honky tonk singing for multiple generations. The audible evidence can be heard in the music of ... more

Photo: Handout

Among the most influential singers in the history of country music,... Photo-4515817.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Poodie Locke

Locke was Nelson’s stage manager and confidant for more than 30 years and a calming guiding force for the touring Family during that time. His Poodie’s Hilltop beer joint in Spicewood bore the sign “There are no bad days,” which spoke to his outlook on life. Locke died of a heart attack at age 56. less

Locke was Nelson’s stage manager and confidant for more than 30 years and a calming guiding force for the touring Family during that time. His Poodie’s Hilltop beer joint in Spicewood bore the sign “There ... more

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Locke was Nelson’s stage manager and confidant for more than 30... Photo-4515814.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Floyd Tillman

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Tillman early on played swing, honky tonk and jazz, a versatility that would shape his music and impact a young Nelson. A great songwriter, Tillman’s greatest influence on Nelson is perhaps most audible in his singing, as he tended to drift just behind the beat with his phrasing. Nelson, who covered Tillman’s “It Makes No Difference Now” among several others among his songs, inducted him into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He died of leukemia at 88. less

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Tillman early on played swing, honky tonk and jazz, a versatility that would shape his music and impact a young Nelson. A great songwriter, Tillman’s greatest influence ... more

Photo: Handout

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Tillman early on played... Photo-4515815.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Hank Cochran

One of country music’s greatest songwriters, Mississippi native Cochran was instrumental in Nelson’s early success. The two crossed paths at the songwriter hangout Tootsie’s and Cochran was impressed with the young writer. Up for a pay raise at his publishing house, Cochran famously asked the company to instead use that money to hire Nelson. Nelson covered numerous Cochran songs over the years, including “Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me),” and the old friends wrote several songs together including “What Can You Do to Me Now.” Cochran died of pancreatic cancer in 2010. less

One of country music’s greatest songwriters, Mississippi native Cochran was instrumental in Nelson’s early success. The two crossed paths at the songwriter hangout Tootsie’s and Cochran was impressed with ... more

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One of country music’s greatest songwriters, Mississippi native... Photo-4515816.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Cindy Walker

The Mart native is one of country music’s greatest composers earning a spot in the Country Music and Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame. She had pop hits for Bing Crosby, but her best-known association was with Bob Wills, who recorded more than 50 of her songs including “Cherokee Maiden.” Nelson covered Walker’s songs over the year and in 2006 made a full album of her compositions: “You Don’t Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker.” Walker fell ill and died just three weeks after the album was released. less

The Mart native is one of country music’s greatest composers earning a spot in the Country Music and Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame. She had pop hits for Bing Crosby, but her best-known association was ... more

Photo: Handout

The Mart native is one of country music’s greatest composers... Photo-4515853.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

Back before the Great American Songbook became the last refuge of rock ‘n’ roll washouts, Nelson made pop standards a daring change of direction. His 1978 album “Stardust” opened with a pair of Carmichael co-writes (“Stardust” and “Georgia on My Mind”) as well as Berlin’s “Blue Skies.” Berlin’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” gave Nelson’s newest album its title. And the album also includes Loesser’s “I Wish I Didn’t Love You So.” Time and again he’s gone back to these three songwriters and their peers, who made their names writing for Big Bands and Broadway. None of them had backgrounds that would suggest country music: Berlin was Russian born and raised in New York; Loesser was New York born; and Carmichael began composing in Bloomington, Ind., before moving to New York. Nelson’s readings of their songs is testament to his originality as an interpreter and their craft as writers. Loesser died of lung cancer, Carmichael of heart failure and Berlin of whatever kills 101 year-olds. less

Back before the Great American Songbook became the last refuge of rock ‘n’ roll washouts, Nelson made pop standards a daring change of direction. His 1978 album “Stardust” opened with a pair of ... more

Photo: AP

Back before the Great American Songbook became the last refuge of... Photo-4348091.60894 - San Antonio Express-News

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Bob Wills (pictured), Milton Brown and Spade Cooley

Any worthwhile Texas country musician has to have been influenced by the King of Western Swing, and Nelson is no exception. He has over the years picked from the songbook that Wills helped shape, but the biggest tip to Wills came in 2007 with “Willie and the Wheel,” a collaboration with Asleep at the Wheel that the great producer /record label exec Jerry Wexler hatched back in the 1970s. In addition to Wills and his Texas Playboys standards like “Right or Wrong,” “Bring it on Down to My House,” “Corrine Corrina,” Nelson and the Wheel swung through songs by swing greats Milton Brown and Spade Cooley. Nelson’s new album “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” includes Cooley’s “Shame on You.” Wills died of complications from a stroke at 70. Brown, a horribly under-appreciated figure in western swing, was hospitalized after a car crash and died of pneumonia at age 32. Cooley, incarcerated in 1961 for the murder of his wife, died of a heart attack while on a performance furlough in 1969. less

Any worthwhile Texas country musician has to have been influenced by the King of Western Swing, and Nelson is no exception. He has over the years picked from the songbook that Wills helped shape, but the ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Any worthwhile Texas country musician has to have been influenced... Photo-1398788.60894 - San Antonio Express-News